Barry A. Farber

Barry A. Farber is a Professor of Psychology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He has been an active member of the Clinical Psychology program since 1979 and previously served as Director of Clinical Training from 1990 to 2016. His research focuses on psychotherapy dynamics, including self-disclosure, therapist dishonesty, and the impact of emerging technologies on therapy practices. Farber holds a B.A. from Queens College (CUNY), an M.A. from Teachers College, and a Ph.D. from Yale University.

His scholarly interests include the role of positive regard in therapy, client secrecy, and the application of Carl Rogers' person-centered approach. Farber’s work has led to influential books like Understanding and Enhancing Positive Regard in Psychotherapy (2022) and Secrets and Lies in Psychotherapy (2019). He collaborates with doctoral students in the Psychotherapy, Affirmation, & Disclosure Lab, exploring topics such as cultural influences on positive regard and online client disclosures.

Farber’s research has been presented at conferences including the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR) and has been published in journals like Psychotherapy Research and Journal of Clinical Psychology. His lab emphasizes training future clinicians and addressing contemporary challenges in psychotherapy, such as ethical dilemmas and technology integration.

Notable contributions include studies on therapist dishonesty, client deception in substance use discussions, and the comparison of self-disclosure in therapy versus social media platforms like Facebook. His work bridges theoretical foundations with practical clinical applications, emphasizing therapist-client dynamics and patient outcomes.